Mayor Don Wesely today announced that he is calling a community summit meeting
on the methamphetamine problem from 8 a.m. to noon, Tuesday May 7 at the
Cornhusker Hotel. The free conference will bring together representatives of
government, education, law enforcement, the court system, social service agencies
and the medical community to discuss the increasing manufacture and use of the
highly addictive and destructive drug.

"Meth affects all of us - employers, victims of crimes, parents and friends of
addicts, landlords, educators, health care providers," said Mayor Wesely. "A
comprehensive strategy involving the entire community is needed to combat meth,
and greater awareness is a starting point. If we don't attack this problem,
we'll continue to pay the price in higher crime rates, incarceration and medical
treatment costs."

In January, Mayor Wesely and Police Chief Tom Casady called on citizens and
retailers to help fight the meth problem by being alert to the signs of meth
production and use. Casady said during the past year in the community, four
people have died in meth-related incidents - three homicides and one meth lab
explosion. Nine law enforcement officers were injured during meth lab
investigations. Casady said meth is also linked to double-digit increases in
forgery and theft cases.

"Meth represents the greatest drug risk to the community I have seen during my
career," said Casady. "The police cannot solve this problem alone. Arresting
meth dealers and users is important, but it's not enough. We need the support
of everyone to address this threat on many fronts. "

Casady said the presence of meth continues to increase in Lincoln and in the
Midwest because its ingredients are readily available, and it is relatively low
in cost. Last year, 44 meth labs were discovered and shut down in Lancaster
County - 23 of those in the city limits. So far this year, there have been 14
meth labs in Lancaster County, with nine of those in the city limits. Last year,
$10.8 million worth of meth was involved in federal indictments for meth
trafficking in Lincoln. Of the 3,083 drug arrests last year, 532 were felony
drug arrests. Drug arrests have increased 54 percent in the past five years.